MAG3 Kidney Scan. Patients must also read their appointment letter and any enclosures carefully

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Kory Nelson
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1 MAG3 Kidney Scan Patients must also read their appointment letter and any enclosures carefully What is a Kidney Scan? A kidney scan is a diagnostic procedure, which looks at how well your kidneys are working. It is different to an x-ray and other types of scans. It involves an injection of a small amount of radioactive liquid and imaging with a special camera.

2 How do you prepare for this scan? It is important to follow the instructions in your appointment letter with regard to drinking water so that you are well hydrated in preparation for the diuretic injection used during the scan. You can eat and take any medication as normal. Females: Due to the radiation involved, there is a very small risk to an unborn or breastfeeding child. Therefore, is important that you let us know in advance if you are or may be pregnant or breastfeeding. Who can come with you for this scan? It is fine if you want someone to come with you on the day of the scan. However, because we only have one waiting room, we advise you not to be accompanied by children or pregnant women to help to minimise the radiation exposure to these people. Finding the Nuclear Medicine Department The Nuclear Medicine Department is located in Zone C, Department C16. Page 2 of 7

3 How is the scan performed? You can use the toilet as normal before your scan. Just before the scan, you will be asked to empty your bladder if you are able. This is not for a sample; it is just to make sure that your bladder is as empty as possible before the images are taken. You will also be weighed before the scan. For your scan, you will not have to remove any clothing, you will not be enclosed in a tunnel and you will not be left alone. You will be asked to lie on a bed which will have a special camera placed under it. A small amount of radioactive liquid will be injected into a vein in your arm. This will not make you feel any different. The images will then be taken which will take about 40 minutes. It is important that you lie still during this time and breathe normally. You will not feel any different during the scan. About 15 minutes after the first injection, you will be given another small injection into a vein in your arm. This injection contains a small amount of a diuretic. This will not make you feel any different but you may, towards the end of the scan, feel the need to pass urine. Page 3 of 7

4 When the scan has finished, we may need to perform a picture while you are passing urine. If this picture is necessary, you will be asked to sit on a commode with your back to the camera, and a picture will be taken while you are emptying your bladder. This picture will be performed as discretely as possible, but a technician will need to be present. If this picture is not performed, you will be asked to go to the toilet to empty your bladder (to pass urine). Again, this is not for a sample. You will then be asked to return to the scanning room where the technician will sit you on a chair with your back against the camera and take one more picture, which takes one minute. Why may a picture need to be taken while you are passing urine? This picture gives extra information which can be useful to the radiologist when reporting your scan. The technician will inform you on the day of the scan if this picture is necessary. Why will you have an injection of a diuretic during the scan? A diuretic is a substance that makes your kidneys work a little bit faster. This helps us to see how well your kidneys are emptying into your bladder and this can give information that may be helpful to your doctor. Page 4 of 7

5 How will this scan affect you? For a few hours after the scan, you may feel that you need to pass urine more often than normal. The procedure will not affect your ability to drive home so it is not necessary for anyone to accompany you unless you so wish. For 24 hours after the procedure, all patients should sit on the toilet when passing urine. Are there any risks from the radioactive liquid? The radioactive liquid is used as sparingly as possible and the benefits of this scan far outweigh the small risk from radiation. The radiation dose you will receive is similar to the radiation that you receive from natural sources in three months. The radioactive substance is quickly eliminated from your body. You can help this process by drinking plenty of fluids after the test, and emptying your bladder more often. Page 5 of 7

6 Will the radiation affect other people? The radiation dose to other people around you is low and is therefore not a cause for concern. How will you get the results? You will not be given any results on the day of the scan. The consultant radiologist will, within a few days, send a report to the doctor or specialist who referred you for the scan. Travelling after your scan Some airports, seaports, train stations, bus stations and major sporting event venues have installed very sensitive radiation detectors. It is possible that these detectors may be triggered by the small amount of radioactivity remaining in your body on the days following your scan. Therefore, if you are planning to travel within seven days following your scan, it is recommended that you carry your appointment letter to show to customs officials if necessary. Page 6 of 7

7 Additional Information: If you have any concerns or questions with regard to this procedure, or you need this information in another format such as larger print, please telephone the Nuclear Medicine Department on the phone number below: Nuclear Medicine Department: Date of publication: 12 August 2014 Ref: RUH/NM/059VER2 Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust Page 7 of 7

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